Waste capture apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for location in a sewage conduit or channel of a building which, in use, captures for subsequent disposal, non-degradable matter passing through said conduit or channel. The apparatus includ

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to waste capture apparatus. More especially, the invention relates to waste capture apparatus for location within a sewage conduit of a building which is designed to capture, for subsequent disposal, relatively non-degradable items such as nappies, sanitary towels, baby wipes and heavy paper to prevent such items creating blockages within the conduit and enabling fluids and other treatable material to pass without hindrance to a septic tank or mains sewer connected to receive effluent from the building. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Presently, a significant number of waterways, sea fronts and residential areas are being regularly polluted with effluent discharged legally or otherwise from partially or fully blocked sewers. Such pollution clearly represents a health risk to the general public and the present invention sets out to provide a solution to this problem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the invention provides apparatus for location in a sewage conduit or channel of a building which, in use, captures for subsequent disposal, non-degradable matter passing through said conduit or channel, the apparatus comprising an elongate cylindrical body having an open end forming an entrance for the flow of fluid passing through the conduit or channel and an opposing exit end at least partially closed by an apertured plate, the plate being formed with a plurality of parallel-spaced slots extending across at least a middle part of the plate and an elongate opening extending generally perpendicularly across the slots across the centre of the plate, the plate being configured to inhibit the flow of non-degradable matter and to retain said matter within the body for subsequent disposal, the apparatus further including means lift the open entrance of the body to access the matter retained in the apparatus. Preferably, the plate is detachably attached to the end of the body. Preferably, the lifting means comprises a connection member secured at or near to the rim of the open end of the body. Preferably, the connection member comprises a flanged plate extending perpendicularly from the body and having an aperture. Preferably, the lifting means further comprises a metal wire with a hook for connection, during use, to the connection memberthrough the aperture. Preferably, the end of the wire distal to the connection member in use, includes means to connect the wire to a drain cover extending over the drainage conduit or channel in use. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises one or more locating members secured at or near to the rim of the open end of the body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view from a first end of apparatus constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of apparatus of figure 1 from the opposite end; Figure 3 shows the apparatus located in situ within a sewage conduit; and Figure 4 shows the apparatus of figure 3 capturing non-degradable matter flowing through the conduit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, the apparatus essentially comprises an elongate cylindrical tubular body 2 made from a metal such as stainless steel or aluminium. The metal is treated so to be resistant to water erosion. A first end 4 of the body 2 is open and provides an entrance to receive the flow of sewage through a conduit or along drainage channel in which the apparatus is located. A second end 6, opposing the first end 4, is partially closed by an apertured plate 8 extending laterally across that end 6. In the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, the plate 8 has a number of parallel-spaced slots 10 extending across at least a middle part of the plate 8. A wider single slot 12 extends perpendicularly across the slots 10 across the centre of the plate 8. The slot 12 provides a gap through which degradable matter, such as paper and tissues can pass through. As this matter is degradable in water, they do not cause blockage to the sewers. The ends of the finger formations 14 defining the slots 10 act to catch and tear the degradable matter to break it down as it travels through the wider slot 12 to speed up the degradation process of that matter. Non degradable matter is caught by the grill plate, retention of it being aided by the fingers formations 14. The plate 8 may be welded to the end 6 of the body 2 or may be formed integrally with it. Alternatively, the plate 8 may be detachably attached to the end 6 and may be replaced with a plate 8 having different apertured formations in the event that a specific non-degradable matter is identified as being an issue with a particular conduit. A connection member 22 is secured at or near the rim of the open end 4. The connection member 22 is in the form of a flange plate 24 extending perpendicularly from the body 2 and having an aperture 26 to allow connection of lifting means. As can be seen in figures 3 and 4, the lifting means may comprise a simple metal wire 28 with a hook at one end to be received in the aperture 26 to allow the wire 28 to be manually pulled to lift the open end 4 of the body 2 in order to view and access the inside to remove any collected matter. The fact that the connection member 22 is secured at or near the rim of the open end 4 of the body, and that a hooked wire 28 is used for lifting the apparatus, ensures that the body 2 remains upright when being lifted from the drainage space so not to spill the contents. A rubbish collection bag or vessel can then be placed over the opening and the body 2 turned upside down to empty the contents. The empty body 2 can then be cleaned if necessary and placed back into the drainage conduit or channel for re-use. The other end of the wire 28 may be secured to the underside of a manhole cover or drain lid so that lifting of the open end 4 of the body 2 will automatically occur when the cover or lid is lifted for removal. Figures 3 and 4, show the body 2 located within a channel 30 of flow of sewage. The partially closed end 6 of the body 2 is inserted into the sewage pipe or conduit 32 leading into the open channelled area 30. Lifting of the open end 4 of the body 2 causes the body 2 to tilt upwardly without being dislodged from the conduit 32. Further lifting can remove the body 2 entirely from the conduit 32 to allow the apparatus to be emptied and / or cleaned. Figure 4 shows the apparatus acting to capture and retain non-degradable matter 34. The body 2 may have a square or rectangular cross-section rather than circular. The body 2 may be constructed from a different weather-hardened material suitable for outside wet environment such as a hard plastic. More than 2 locating members 34 may be located along or near the edge of the opening 4.

Claims

1. Apparatus for location in a sewage conduit or channel of a building which, in use, captures for subsequent disposal, non-degradable matter passing through said conduit or channel, the apparatus comprising an elongate cylindrical body having an open end forming an entrance for the flow of fluid passing through the conduit or channel and an opposing exit end at least partially closed by an apertured plate, the plate being formed with a plurality of parallel-spaced slots extending across at least a middle part of the plate and an elongate opening extending generally perpendicularly across the slots across the centre of the plate, the plate being configured to inhibit the flow of non-degradable matter and to retain said matter within the body for subsequent disposal, the apparatus further including means lift the open entrance of the body to access the matter retained in the apparatus. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein part of the plate is formed with a formed with an apertured grill and part of the plate is formed with a slotted opening.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plate is detachably attached to the end of the body.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lifting means comprises a connection member secured at or near to the rim of the open end of the body.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the connection member comprises a flanged plate extending perpendicularly from the body and having an aperture.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the lifting means further comprises a metal wire with a hook for connection, during use, to the connection member through the aperture.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the end of the wire distal to the connection member in use, includes means to connect the wire to a drain cover extending over the drainage conduit or channel in use.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more locating members secured at or near to the rim of the open end of the body.

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